Gege Akutami doesn’t do "normal" conversations. In most shonen manga, when the hero and the villain have a chat, it’s usually some grand philosophical debate about justice or a tear-filled attempt at redemption. Not here. When it comes to Yuji and Sukuna talking, things are usually much more jagged, uncomfortable, and frankly, nihilistic.
It’s personal.
Think back to the early days of the series. We all expected the "inner demon" trope to play out like Naruto and Kurama. We thought they’d eventually find common ground over a shared bowl of ramen or some mutual respect for power. We were wrong. Every time these two interact, it’s a reminder that Sukuna isn't a misunderstood anti-hero; he is a natural disaster with a voice.
The Dynamics of a Mutual Hatred
The core of their relationship is built on a foundation of absolute, unwavering contempt. Sukuna doesn't just want to kill Yuji Itadori. He wants to break his spirit, piece by piece, until there is nothing left but a hollow shell. When you look at the scenes featuring Yuji and Sukuna talking, the power dynamic is always skewed. Even when Yuji is the vessel, Sukuna holds the psychological high ground.
Take the Domain Expansion sequence early on. Sukuna sits atop a mountain of literal skulls. He’s bored. He’s mocking. He offers Yuji a "binding vow" that feels like a trap because it is a trap. Yuji, being the self-sacrificing kid he is, tries to negotiate. It’s painful to watch because Yuji is playing a game of chess while Sukuna is just waiting to flip the table and set the room on fire.
Gege uses these moments to strip away the tropes. There is no "Inner World" training arc where they become a duo. Instead, we get Sukuna laughing at Yuji’s deepest traumas. When Junpei died, Sukuna didn’t offer power to save him. He laughed. He shared a laugh with Mahito at Yuji’s expense. That moment changed the tone of the entire series. It established that their "talks" would never be about growth—only about cruelty.
Why the Binding Vow Changed Everything
The "Enchain" vow is probably the most pivotal moment of Yuji and Sukuna talking in the entire narrative.
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- Sukuna promised not to kill anyone during that one minute.
- Yuji had to forget the deal happened.
- Sukuna got control for sixty seconds upon saying the keyword.
Yuji thought he could win a fight to avoid the deal. He lost instantly. This highlights a recurring theme: Yuji is a "cog" in his own mind, while Sukuna is the architect of the machine. The sheer arrogance Sukuna displays during these exchanges isn't just for show; it's a reflection of his Heian-era mindset where might makes right and everyone else is just "scales on a fish" to be prepared for a meal.
The Psychological Warfare of the "Cog" Mentality
As the story progresses, especially through the Shibuya Incident and the Culling Game, the nature of Yuji and Sukuna talking shifts from mockery to a strange kind of ideological dismissal. Sukuna finds Yuji’s "I’m just a cog" philosophy boring. He says it. He finds Yuji’s suffering unremarkable because, to Sukuna, Yuji himself is unremarkable.
This is a masterclass in writing a villain. Most villains validate the hero by acknowledging their potential. Sukuna refuses to do even that. He treats Yuji like a fly that won't stop buzzing around a feast.
Honestly, the most chilling part is how Sukuna uses his knowledge of Yuji's soul. Because they shared a body, Sukuna knows Yuji better than anyone. He knows exactly which buttons to press to cause the most psychic damage. When they talk, Sukuna isn't just using words; he's using Yuji's own memories and failures as weapons. It’s the ultimate gaslighting relationship, played out on a supernatural scale.
Breaking Down the Heian Era Context
To understand why their conversations feel so "off," you have to look at Sukuna’s history. He’s from a time where sorcery was peak brutality. He doesn't value human life, but he does value "entertainment."
When we see Yuji and Sukuna talking in the later chapters—specifically during the final showdowns—the dialogue becomes much more sparse. Yuji has stopped trying to understand Sukuna. He’s realized there’s nothing to understand. You don't "talk" to a hurricane. You just survive it or die.
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Real-World Impact: Why Fans Obsess Over These Moments
Why does the internet explode every time these two share a panel? It’s because it feels real. Not the magic part, obviously, but the feeling of being trapped with someone who hates you for no reason other than your existence.
- Subversion of Tropes: It rejects the "Talk-no-Jutsu" philosophy popular in other series.
- High Stakes: One wrong word from Yuji usually leads to a city block being leveled.
- Character Growth: Yuji’s growth is measured by how little he lets Sukuna’s words affect him.
The community often debates whether Sukuna has any respect for Yuji. Some point to the moments where Sukuna seems surprised by Yuji’s durability. But every time Yuji and Sukuna talking occurs, that theory usually gets shot down by Sukuna saying something absolutely heinous. He is the king of haters. He has dedicated his second life to making this teenager’s life a living hell.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their "Bond"
There is no bond.
People keep looking for a "redemption arc" or a moment where Sukuna realizes Yuji is "worthy." That misses the point of Jujutsu Kaisen. The series is about the "curse" of being a sorcerer. Sukuna is the ultimate curse. He is the embodiment of selfishness. Yuji is the embodiment of selflessness. They are the two ends of a spectrum that can never meet in the middle.
When you analyze the transcripts of Yuji and Sukuna talking, you see a pattern of "Enlightenment vs. Humanity." Sukuna believes he is enlightened because he only follows his desires. Yuji believes he is human because he follows his responsibilities. They are speaking two different languages.
The Finality of Their Interaction
In the endgame of the manga, the dialogue shifts. It becomes more about the nature of the soul. Sukuna’s "discussions" about the soul are actually quite technical, revealing a lot about the mechanics of the Jujutsu world. But Yuji’s responses are grounded in the physical world. He talks about the people he’s lost. He talks about the "grandpa's wish."
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This contrast is where the heart of the story lies.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're trying to track the progression of the series, pay attention to the setting of their conversations.
- The Inner Domain: Represents Sukuna's total control.
- The Battlefield: Represents Yuji’s refusal to be silenced.
- The Mental Plane: Represents the clash of their core identities.
Watching Yuji and Sukuna talking is like watching a car crash in slow motion—you want to look away because it's horrifying, but it's too compelling to ignore. The evolution from Yuji being a terrified kid to a hardened sorcerer is best tracked through how he responds to Sukuna’s taunts.
To truly understand the narrative weight here, you should go back and re-read the chapters immediately following the Shibuya Incident. Notice how Yuji’s internal monologue changes after Sukuna takes over and kills thousands. The way Yuji talks to himself about Sukuna is just as important as the direct dialogue. He stops seeing Sukuna as a "roommate" and starts seeing him as a cancer.
Keep an eye on the subtle shifts in Sukuna’s tone. He rarely loses his cool. When he does—when Yuji actually lands a hit or says something that challenges Sukuna’s worldview—that’s when the "true" Sukuna slips out. It’s not the cool, collected King of Curses; it’s a petty, ancient sorcerer who can’t stand being challenged by a "brat."
Next time you see a panel of these two, look at the eyes. Gege often draws Sukuna looking down at Yuji, even when they are the same height. It’s all about the hierarchy. Understanding that hierarchy is the key to understanding the entire series.